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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 10, 2014 03:41 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jim Cox and Rep. Ed Gainey |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Medical Cannabis Legislation |
| In the near future, we will introduce the House Companion bill to the medical cannabis bill that passed with overwhelming support (43-7) in the Senate in September of 2014 (S.B. 1182, P.N. 2324). This legislation will allow physicians in Pennsylvania to recommend medicinal cannabis to patients who would medically benefit from such a treatment. There are currently 21 states and the District of Columbia that have similar laws. Similar legislation was introduced in the House last session with the following co-sponsors: Cox, Barrar, Briggs, V. Brown, Brownlee, Caltagirone, Carroll, Cohen, Davis, DeLissio, DeLuca, Donatucci, Ellis, Everett, Fabrizio, Flynn, Frankel, Gergely, Goodman, Harkins, C. Harris, K. Boyle, W. Keller, Kim, Kortz, Mahoney, Marshall, McCarter, McNeill, Millard, Moul, Mullery, Murt, O’Brien, O’Neill, Oberlander, Ravenstahl, Reed, Regan, Roae, Rozzi, Sabatina, Samuelson, Santarsiero, Schlossberg, Sturla, Tallman, and Watson. The Senate-passed version of S.B. 1182 represented months of hearings, discussions, changes, and compromises with one goal in mind: helping those with medical challenges – especially children with seizure disorders – to benefit from a medicinal strain of cannabis. Some children suffer hundreds of seizures a day, making normal childhood development impossible and forcing parents to helplessly watch their children suffer. Prescribed narcotic cocktails of highly addictive and dangerous drugs have little effect on these disorders and often provide only a few weeks or months of pause in the decline of a child’s health. The emphasis of this legislative effort has focused on a strain of cannabis very high in Cannabidiols (CBD), a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and very low in Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Called “Charlotte’s Web,” this strain has been used to treat disorders with dramatic results that are rapid, non-intoxicating, and free of side effects for children using this medicine, as seen in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiShwotFJR8. This legislation would allow patients who have a recommendation from their doctor to purchase and use medical cannabis from centers licensed by a new State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing. The entire process would be regulated by licensing: medical cannabis growers, processors, and dispensers. In addition to promulgating regulations, the board would also be empowered to adopt a schedule of civil penalties for operating without a current license or occupation permit or for other violations. The board would have the power to revoke licenses for violations, refusing to adhere to an order of the board, or for conviction of a criminal offense. The board would also be able to issue cease and desist orders, order restitution, or issue a letter of reprimand or censures. Prohibitions in our legislation include:
It is cruel and irrational to deny people medicine to alleviate their suffering – especially when we routinely prescribe far more addictive, powerful, and toxic medications for the same conditions. I hope you will join us in ensuring our sick friends and family members will have access to the best medicine available to relieve their pain and suffering. Thank you! . |